Versatile high-low chair

ABSTRACT

A versatile high-low chair is a standard looking chair with arm rests but with the added feature of having legs that can be adjusted lengthwise so as to adapt to the needs of children as well as a tray provided with a special profile which makes it releasably engageable with the arm rests. To further secure very young children, a padded insert having securing means in the form of straps and belts can be placed on the chair so that it can properly seat a child securedly.

[0001] This application claims priority based on provisional application 60/465,519 filed Apr. 28, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to high chairs for babies but more particularly to a chair having variable length legs to make it suitable for use by both children and adults.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] The prior art reveals a variety of convertible chairs which can be configured for use by a small child and later reconfigured for use by an adult. The chairs generally feature extensible legs and a removable tray. Some inventions are rather complicated, bulky or clumsy looking which makes them impractical in real life situation. There also exists special paddings to provide a chair with a smooth comfortable feel as well as providing some restraining means such as a seat belt to offer additional safety to a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is a first object of this invention to provide for a versatile high-low chair having legs that can vary their lengths.

[0007] It is a second object of this invention to provide for a versatile high-low chair having a modular tray which can hook onto the arm rests of the chair.

[0008] It is a third object of this invention to provide for a versatile high-low chair having a removable padded cushion.

[0009] It is a final object of this invention to provide for a versatile high-low chair having a removable padded cushion that has restraining means.

[0010] In order to do so, the present invention consists of a standard looking chair with arm rests but with the added feature of having legs that can be adjusted lengthwise so as to adapt to the needs of children as well as a tray provided with a special profile which makes it releasably engageable with the arm rests. To further secure very young children, a padded insert having securing means in the form of straps and belts can be placed on the chair so that it can properly seat a child securedly.

[0011] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown and described, by way of examples. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012]FIG. 1a Perspective view of the chair with short legs.

[0013]FIG. 1b Perspective view of a locking rod and grove.

[0014]FIG. 2 Perspective view of the chair with extended legs and a tray.

[0015]FIG. 3a Perspective view of the tray.

[0016]FIG. 3b Back side view of the tray.

[0017]FIG. 4 Perspective view of the seat cushion.

[0018]FIGS. 5ab Detail front view of the leg extension mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, versatile high-low chair (10) has a seat (12) a back (14), two arm rests (16) and four legs (18). Each leg is further comprised of a foot (20) extending downwardly therefrom.

[0020] The versatile high-low chair (10) can go from a standard chair height as in FIG. 1 to a high chair as in FIG. 2 by extending the feet (20). Referring to FIGS. 5ab, extending the feet (20) is done by extending a rod (22) which is normally hidden inside the legs (18). The rod (22) has a catch (23) which travels into a channel and engages into at least one notch (25) extending generally perpendicularly from the channel (27). Since the chair can be used for children having different heights, a plurality of notches (25) is preferred.

[0021] Also, the versatile high-low chair can receive a tray (24) which engages the arm rests (16). A foot rest (26) can also be optionally pivoted out from underneath the seat (12). The tray (24) is generally horseshoe shaped and has a table (26) part and engagement arms (28) parts extending therefrom and which are, in embodiment of FIG. 3b configured and sized to wrap around the arm rests (16) or, as per FIG. 3c, wherein the tray (24) is installed underneath the arm rests (16) and mechanically fastened by way of knobs (31) which do not have pads (33) as per knobs (30) which tighten the engagement arms (28) onto the arm rests (16) as per FIG. 3b, Both knobs (30) and (31) can be threaded knobs or spring release rods or any similar type of device.

[0022] As per FIG. 4, a cushion (32) having a cushion seat (34) a cushion back (36) and cushion sides (38) also has a restraining belt (40) to restrain a child or an adult in loss of autonomy. The cushion (32) is secured to the versatile high-low chair (10) by being releasably attached to the posts of the back (14). 

1. A versatile high-low chair with a seat, a back, two arm rests and four legs, a cushion having a cushion seat, a cushion back, cushion sides and a restraining belt and a foot rest pivotally movable from underneath said seat and comprising the following improvements: a foot extending downwardly from each of said legs; said foot being extendable by way of cooperating rod and channel wherein a catch travels in said channel and engages into at least one notch extending generally perpendicularly from said channel; a tray engaging said arm rests; said tray having a table part and engagement arms configured and sized to engage said arm rests.
 2. A versatile high-low chair as in claim 1 wherein: said channel has two notches extending generally perpendicularly therefrom.
 3. A versatile high-low chair as in claim 1 wherein: said tray being generally horseshoe shaped with a table part and engagement arms parts extrending therefrom; and said engagement arms parts being configured and sized to wrap around said arm rests and mechanically fastened to said arm rests by way of knobs having pads.
 4. A versatile high-low chair as in claim 1 wherein: said tray being generally horseshoe shaped with a table part and engagement arms parts extrending therefrom; said tray installed underneath said arm rests and mechanically fastened to said arm rests by way of knobs.
 5. A versatile high-low chair as in claim 3 wherein: said knobs are threaded.
 6. A versatile high-low chair as in claim 4 wherein: said knobs are threaded. 